Let Kenya's seat at Human Rights Council boost respect for human rights

(Left) Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, (center)Human Rights defender Maria Sarungi and Law Society of Kenya Council Member Stephen Mbugua when they joined Amnesty International East and Southern Africa Regional Office Researcher calling on Ugandan Government to release Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye on February 18, 2025, Nairobi. [Standard, Kanyiri Wahito]

In October 2024, Kenya, alongside Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Benin, Gambia, and Ethiopia, was elected to serve a three-year term at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), presenting it with an opportunity to contribute to the global human rights discourse but most importantly impress upon its human rights record.

However, there has been discontent, with civil society organisations pointing out that the election was contrary to the Council's founding resolution (60/251, March 2006), which requires members to uphold the highest human rights standards.